Auto Exhaust Pollution Induced Alteration in Leaf Morphology of Some Common Road Side Plants
Dr. Anita Pawar
Associate Prof. & Head of Botany Department
N.R.E.C. College, Khurja, U.P. India.
Present paper deals with the Auto exhaust induced changes in leaf morphology of some common road side plants. The study was conducted in city Ghaziabad, three sites were selected- HPA (Highly polluted area), MPA (Medium polluted area), FA (Fresh area). Five plants – Ricinus communis (Arandi), Amaranthus viridis (chauli), Cassia obtusifolia (chakunda), Withania somnifera (ashvagandha), Calotropis procera (madar). The parameters examined were leaf length, breadth and area. Decline was recorded in the parameters considered for the study of the leaf samples collected from polluted areas. These alterations can be considered as indicators of auto exhaust pollution.
Keywords: Auto exhaust, Leaf morphology, Highly polluted area (HPA), Medium polluted area MPA, Fresh area (FA).
